We provide an advocate who visits young people living in private residential care homes. They usually visit once a month so that they can get to know the young people and build a relationship with them.
Although the care homes pay for this service, the Residential Visiting Advocate is independent of the home and is instructed directly by the young person. They can speak to the young person in private and help them decide how they want any issue to be taken forward. This might be something about the residential home, or it could be about another area of the young person’s life.
The Residential Visiting Advocate provides an anonymised written report to the manager of the residential home after each visit. They can also contact Social Workers and other people on behalf of the young person.
The Residential Visiting Advocate can help young people to:
The RVAS covers all of Wales. There are currently over 25 homes who use the service. Most of these homes are in Northeast Wales, but there are also a few in North Wales, Powys, Neath Port Talbot and Cardiff. A contract is agreed between the homes and the service, that monthly visits will be provided. These mainly take place after school or early evening during the week.
The Residential Visiting Advocates are a small team of people who help young people living in residential care to have a voice and to be able to speak up about things that are important to them.
“I must pass on how grateful we are for the fantastic and valuable service you offer the home and the young people. It’s been a long-standing partnership and one I look forward to continuing.” – Home Manager
“If I didn’t have the advocate to talk to, I would get really anxious about everything.” – Young person
If you would like to know more about the Residential Visiting Advocacy Service then please contact Amanda Cox, Development Lead.
Telephone 07944 049273
TGP Cymru
Cardiff University Social Science Research Park (SPARK)
spark
Maindy Road
Cardiff
CF24 4HQ
